Printable View
i have searched the web inside and out but no luck. my local hydro store doesn't care the one i need. part 2 of the youtube video 'i grow chronic' it shows him using a manifold with a 1/2" connector and 6 1/4" drip line connectors. if anyone knows where to get one of these will you please let me know. someone somewhere has to make this thing.
insight if ya could
what are you guys using with your drip irrigation???
Make up your own manifold outta 1/2" for the main line, w/ 1/4" double barbed connectors everywhere that you want to put a drip line. Any hydro stores gonna have the parts- shouldn't cost more'n a couple bucks to build.
Never seen one for sale- ya just make one to fit whatever your sys is.
so i would have to get a 1/2" to 1/4" tee..right? or am i not getting this at all...
...im confused now
most hardware stores carry that PVC irrigation tubing and fittings, nozzles, etc .... :smokin:
its the actual set up-- the way i have it pictured you would need bout 7 tees...
Try an irrigation site:
XBD-80 - Xeri-Birdâ?¢ 8 Multi-Outlet Emission Device
or
XB-10-6 - Multi-Outlet Xeri-Bug (barb inlet) Black
By the way you need to buy a connector from a hardware store to connect the tube to the 1/2' screw on the emitter. They should be around the tubes at any home depot or lowes. Hope that helps.
OK- step by step instructions don't apply, as design is determined by application.
-Create a main manifold out of 1/2" poly hose. If you are running open 1/4" feeder hoses, or unregulated (basket) drip stakes, it is desirable to create a circuit ( say you've got 16 pots in a 4 pot by 4 pot square and you want to run open tube- it makes sense to make a square manifold, which will keep your feed pressure more regular) If you're using regulated emitters, it doesn't make any differance- You can just use a straight hose and plug the end that's not attached to the pump. Of course, you can also use elbows and tees as the spirit moves you.
- Punch 1/4" barbed connectors thru the 1/2" tube wherever you want to put in a feeder line. Do they have to be regular? Depends... Should I use tees? Maybe- they change flow in an unpressurized sys a lot, less @ +pressure, you might like the changes or not...Depends...
-Insert button drippers at the end of feed line if you're using button drippers, or not if you're not. Place emitters ( an open tube is also an emitter, by default- just a really coarse one) where you want them.
-Attach pump output to manifold, intake to res ( or drop it in if submersible), power pump, fix whatever needs fixing.
Anyway- If you're not using a regulated emitter, you want your 1/4" feeder tubes to be about the same length, so you have about the same flow rate to each pot. (Essentially, the 1/4" feed tube acts as the regulator, as it presents the most resistance to flow thru the system- ya know how you get better pressure thru a short garden hose than a long one. ) Differing lengths of 1/2" don't present the same issues, as they present less resistance to flow.
With an open-ended system, it is possible to get good balance just by bringing up the pressure, regardless of varying drag to each hose end- but you won't get balance that way until your capacity to build pressure within the system exceeds the capacity of the system to discharge pressure- with many open-ended 1/4" hoses, this is a whole load of water moving, much more than I can imagine you want.
Regulated emitters are much easier to, well, regulate. Button emitters work really well to give you the same flow from each emitter across the system- I highly rec them, unless you are using some a lot of organics, as they tend to clog the very fine apetures of the buton emitters.
Take a look at Dripworks Drip Irrigation Design Overview and look through their design tools and faqs- they're geared toward differant applications than I imagine you're thinking, but the design principles are the same.
Hope this helps.
rhizome- thanks brother! i got it together now and works perfectly!
and everyone else i appreciate the enlightenment!